Religion: Sexual Challenge

Nobody has opposed the sexual revolution more steadfastly than the Roman
Catholic hierarchy. Only last year the Vatican reiterated its
condemnation of all sexual relations outside marriage, calling this
judgment an "absolute and immutable" part of God's law. In a statement
last November the U.S. bishops were equally unyielding, saying that sex
is "a moral and human good only within marriage."

Liberal Strength. A growing number of Catholic theologians, priests and
educators openly favor a much more permissive policy, however. The most
sweeping American challenge yet to the hierarchy's view occurs with
this month's publication of a 322-page sex report,* four years...